Fluid machine especially adapted for high pressure applications

ABSTRACT

A fluid machine is provided which is operable as a positive displacement pump, or fluid motor, or as a combined fluid motor and pump, and comprises a working member taking the form of a plurality of pivotally interconnected links which divides a working chamber into inner and outer working chambers and is movable through a cycle of operation therewithin to alternately expand and contract respective portions of said inner and outer working chambers. Inlet and outlet passages are provided in fluid flow communication with each of said inner and outer working chambers and are operable to enable the pumping of fluid therethrough when the fluid machine is utilized as a pump, and/or to admit fluid under pressure thereto and exhaust the same therefrom when the fluid machine is utilized as a fluid motor or a combined fluid motor and pump.

United States atet [72] lnventor Friedrich O. Bellmer 2,784,902 3/ 1957Glenn 230/ 1 68 Stanhope, NJ. 3,050,013 8/1962 Ketterer 103/149 [21]Appl. No. 797,415 3,196,854 7/1965 Novak 230/137 [22] Filed Feb. 7, 1969FORElGN PATENTS [45] Patented Apr. 13, 1971 I Assignee worthingmnCorporation 529,406 2/ 1933 Germany 91/56 Harrison, NJ. PrimaryExaminer-William L. Freeh [54] FLUID MACHINE ESPECIALLY ADAPT ED FORHIGH PRESSURE APPLICATIONS Assistant Examiner-Wilbur .l. GoodlinAttorneyDaniel H. Bobis ABSTRACT: A fluid machine is provided which isoperable as a positive displacement pump, or fluid motor, or as acombined fluid motor and pump, and comprises a working member taking theform of a plurality of pivotally interconnected links which divides aworking chamber into inner and outer working chambers and is movablethrough a cycle of operation therewithin to alternately expand andcontract respective portions of said inner and outer working chambers.Inlet and outlet passages are provided in fluid flow communication witheach of said inner and outer working chambers and are operable to enablethe pumping of fluid therethrough when the fluid machine is utilized asa pump, and/or to admit fluid under pressure thereto and exhaust thesame therefrom when the fluid machine is utilized as a fluid motor or acombined fluid motor and pump.

PATENTED AFR I 3 |97| SHEEI 1 [IF 2 FIG. 8 FRIEDRICH O.BELL.MER

PATENTED APR 1 3 I971 SHEET 2' OF 2 FIG.|I

FIG.I3

FIG.|2

R E M L L E B O H m R D E R F FLUID MACHINE ESPECIALLY ADAP'IEI) FORHIGH PRESSURE APPLICATIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INV ENTION This inventionis related to the invention disclosed and claimed in my application forUS. Patent entitled Flexible Band Fluid Device," Ser. No. 783,686, filedDec. 13, I968, and assigned to the assignee hereof.

This invention relates to a new and improved fluid machine which isadaptable for use as a pump or a fluid motor, or as a combined fluidmotor and pump.

Although fluid machines of these general classifications are, of course,very well known, it is believed equally well known that there issubstantial room for improvement, in a wide variety of areas, withregard to the current, or state of the art, embodiments thereof. Morespecifically, it may be readily understood by those skilled in this artthat although currently available fluid machines of theseclassifications do offer satisfactory performance, there is, nonethelesssubstantial room for improvement thereof in such highly significant and,to some extent, interrelated areas as unduly high initial andoperational costs, undue machine complexity both in the design andnumber of working components, unduly high power consumption resultingfrom high frictional losses, unduly high mass of the moving or workingmembers, unduly high sliding speeds of the working members withattendant high frictional losses and machine component wear rates andrequirements for relatively expensive machine component materials ofsuitable strength and hardness characteristics, lack of machinereliability and difflculty in replacing worn or damaged components,unduly high noise levels, unduly high space requirements and operationalweights with regard to the displacement provided thereby, lack of readyand convenient convertability from the performance of one function tothe performance of another function without major modification as, forexample, from pump to fluid motor to fluid motor driven pump, lack ofready and convenient reversability of operation, and a general inabilityfor the simultaneous performance of two distinct fluid workingfunctions.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly, an object of this inventionto provide a fluid machine which is of extremely simple constructionwith resultant relatively low costs.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a fluid machinewhich embodies an extremely low speed of the working member despite highdrive shaft speeds to thus minimize frictional losses with attendantminimization of machine component wear rates.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a fluid machinewhich is of extremely durable design and construction and extremelysimple manner of operation, whereby long periods of satisfactory,maintenance-free operation thereof are assured.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a fluid machinewhich requires but a single major working component of very low relativemass which may be readily and conveniently replaced at low cost.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a fluid machine ofsignificantly reduced power consumption requirements resulting from thereduced operational friction therefor.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a fluid machinewhich embodies a very low operational noise level.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a fluid machinewhich is of very low relative weight and requires relatively littlespace.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a fluid machinewhich, without major internal modification, is readily convertiblebetween such applications as a pump, a fluid motor. and a fluid motordriven pump.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a fluid machinewhich is readily and conveniently reversible in operation without anyinternal modifications and without loss in efficiency.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a fluidmachine which is particularly adaptable for use as a high pressure pumpand/or a high torque fluid motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As currently preferred, the fluidmachine of the invention comprises a housing having an aperture formedtherein and a core section disposed within said aperture and spacedtherefrom to form a working chamber therebetween. A single workingmember which takes the form of a plurality of pivotally interconnectedlinks is disposed within said aperture to surround said core at least inpart and divide said working chamber into inner and outer workingchambers, respectively. Fluid passages are provided to extend throughsaid housing and core, respectively, into fluid flow communication withsaid outer and inner working chambers and are operative as inlet andoutlet passages to result in the formation of outer and inner workingsections of the fluid machine. For use as a pump, external power isapplied to the interconnected links to move the same through a cycle ofoperation which alternately covers and uncovers said outlet and inletpassages and concomitantly expands and contracts respective portions ofsaid outer and inner working chambers to result in the pressurizationand movement of fluid between said inlet and outlet passages of saidinner and outer working sections respectively.

For use as a fluid motor, fluid under pressure is introduced throughsaid inlet passages of the respective inner and outer working sectionsto move said plurality of pivotally interconnected links throughrepeated cycles of operation thereof and enable the application therebyof rotational power or torque to power takeoff means in the nature ofshaft means. For use as a combined fluid motor and pump, pressurizedfluid is admitted to one working section to move the plurality ofpivotally interconnected links through repeated cycles of operation andpump fluid through the other of said working sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects andadvantages of the fluid machine of this invention are believed madeclear by the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a fluid machine constructed inaccordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the fluid machine of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the fluid machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an opposite end view of the fluid machine of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the fluid machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 and 7 are enlarged view of first pivotally attached portions ofthe working member links;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are enlarged view of second pivotally attached portions ofthe working member links;

FIG. 10 through 13, inclusive, are end views of the fluid machine of theinvention with the front plate removed and illustrate one complete cycleof operation thereof; and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of the fluid machineillustrating the operation of a fluid machine sealing member at anintermediate point during a cycle of fluid machine operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4of the drawings, a fluid machine constructed in accordance with.theteachings of the invention is indicated generally at 2 and may be seento comprise a generally cylindrical casing 4 which includes, in themanner best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a front plate 6, a housing 8 and aback plate 10 maintained in the depicted side-by-side relationshipthereof by a spaced plurality of attachment bolt means as indicated at12 extending therethrough. As best seen in FIG. I, a drive shaft 14extends from the back plate through a drive shaft bushing or bearing 16provided therefor into operative connection with any convenient sourceof rotational power, as for example, an electric drive motor asindicated at 18. Alternatively, were the fluid machine 2 to be utilizedas a fluid motor, element 18 could, for example, be operated astransducer means in the nature of an electric generator.

Spaced fluid conduits 29, 22, 24 and 26 are provided to extend as shownfrom the front plate 6 and, assuming externally driven rotation of thedrive shaft 14 in the clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 4 for use ofthe fluid machine 2 as a pump, it may be understood that fluid conduits20 and 24 will function as inlet conduits while fluid conduits 22 and 26will function as discharge conduits. Conversely, assuming externallydriven rotation of the drive shaft 14 in the counterclockwise directionas seen in FIG. 4, fluid conduits 22 and 26 will func tion as inletconduits while the fluid conduits 20 and 24 will function as dischargeconduits, it thus being made clear that the fluid machine of theinvention is readily reversible in operation for reasons described ingreater detail hereinbelow.

Referring now the exploded perspective view of FIG. 5, it may be seenthat the front plate 6 comprises spaced, generally parallel fluidpassages extending completely therethrough and formed in substantialalignment and fluid flow communication with the respective fluidconduits 20, 22, 24 and 26. More specifically, and as indicated indashed lines in the subject FlG., a fluid passage 28 is formed to extendcompletely through the front plate 6 in substantial alignment with thefluid conduit 20; a fluid passage 30 is formed to extend completelythrough the front plate in substantial alignment with the fluid conduit22, a fluid passage 32 is formed to extend completely through the saidfront plate in substantial alignment with the fluid conduit 24, a fluidpassage 34 is similarly in front plate 6 with regard to the fluidconduit 26.

The housing 8 is of the depicted, generally torus-like configurationincluding a relatively large, generally centrally disposed aperture 36formed to extend therethrough. Fluid passages or slots as indicated at38 and 40, respectively, and a generally semicircular cutout asindicated at 42, are formed to extend as shown outwardly from theaperture 36 into the housing 8 for purposes described in greater detailherein below.

Further included in the housing 8 is a generally mushroomshaped coresection 44 which, as depicted, is formed integrally therewith.Alternatively, and as is believed made clear hereinbelow, it may beunderstood that the core section 44 may be formed integrally with eitherof the front plate 6 or the back plate 10, or as a separate member forsuitable attachment in the depicted position thereof within the housingaperture 36.

Regardless of the manner of formation thereof, the core section 44 maybe seen to comprise fluid passages or slots 46 and 48 formed to extendthereinto from the housing aperture 36 for purposes described in detailhereinbelow. It is believed clear that the core section 44 is, of courseformed to be of substantially the same as the housing 8.

A flexible seal member 50, which may be of any suitable material in thenature, for example, of steel, is disposed as shown atop the coresection 44 and maintained thereon by the simple expedient of insertingthe respective curled extremities 51 and 52 thereof into notchesprovided therefor in the said core section. In addition, an attachmentscrew 54 may be provided as shown to maintain the central portion of theseal member 50 in substantial surface contact with the adjacent coresection portion.

Flexible seal members 56 and 58, respectively, each of which is of thesame construction as the flexible seal member 50, are provided to extendas shown over opposed sides of the housing aperture 36 and are alsomaintained as depicted by the insertion of the respective curledextremities thereof into notches provided therefor in the housing 8.Each of the seal members 50, 56 and 58 is of substantially the samewidth which is in turn substantially equal to the thickness of thehousing 8.

A drive shaft bushing mounting aperture 64 is formed as shown to extendthrough the back plate 10 and it may be understood that a drive shaftbushing or bearing 16 is disposed in the said back plate by the simpleinsertion or press fitting of the said bushing in the said mountingaperture. A drive pin mounting aperture 66 is eccentrically disposed asshown in the extremity or end face of the drive shaft 14, and a drivepin 68 is provided for disposition, with freedom for rotation, in thesaid drive pin mounting aperture. Alternatively, it is to be understoodthat a conventional crank-pin assembly may be formed at the extremity ofthe drive shaft 14.

A working member is indicated generally at 70 and comprises fourgenerally curved arms or links 72, 74, 76 and 78 which are shaped asshown and are linked with freedom for pivotal movement therebetween.More specifically, and as best seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the respectivelower extremities of the links 74 and 76 are formed by ball joints ortongues as indicated at 79 and 80, while the respective upperextremities of the links 72 and 78 are formed by sockets or grooves, asindicated at 81 which are complementally shaped and sized with regard tothe said link tongues. Accordingly, it is believed clear that placementof the ball joints or tongues 79 and 80 in the sockets or grooves 81, asby sliding the former into the side openings of the latter, will resultin the secure attachment of the respective links 72 and 74, and 76 and78, while nonetheless permitting a wide range of pivotal movementtherebetween. As made clear by FIG. 6, which illustrates the pivotalconnection between links 72 and 74, the overall width of the workingmember 70 remains substantially unchanged at this pivotal connection.

The respective upper extremities of the links 74 and 76 are formedrespectively by somewhat enlarged, generally cylindrical end portions 86and 88 with end portion 86 fitting into end portion 88 in tongue andgroove manner as best seen in FIG. 9.

Aligned bores are formed to expand as shown through the respective linkend portions 86 and 88 and the drive pin 68 is extended through thesealigned bores to thereby pivotally attach the respective upperextremities of the links 74 and 76, as best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, whileenabling the transmission of power between the drive shaft 14 and theworking member 70, or vice versa, as the case may be. As made clear byFIG. 9, the overall width of the working member 70 also remainssubstantially unchanged at the pivotal connection between links 74 and76.

The respective lower extremities of the links 72 and 78 are also formedby somewhat enlarged, generally cylindrical end portions 90 and 92, eachof which comprises a generally centrally disposed bore extendingtherethrough as indicated at 94 and 96.

Attachment pins 98 and 100 are provided to extend respectively throughthe bores 94 and 96 in the link end portions 90 and 92, with freedom forrotation therebetween and to extend respectively therefrom into spacedbores 102 and 104 provided therefor in the back plate 10 to thus fix thelocations of the respective link end portions 90 and 92 relative to thesaid back plate, and accordingly the housing 8, while enabling freepivotal movement of the links 72 and 78 relative to the housing 8.

The width of the working member 70, as assembled, is maintainedthroughout as substantially equal to the thickness of the housing 8 andcore portion 44.

In assembling the components of FIG. 5 to form a fluid machine inaccordance with a currently preferred, but by no means exclusive, methodof assembly, the drive shaft 14 is extended through the drive shaftbushing 16 to an extend that will place the end face of the former flushwith the end face of the back plate 10, whereupon the drive pin 68 isinserted with freedom for rotation in the drive pin mounting aperture66. Following this, and with the respective links 72 and 74, and 76 and78, assembled to the extend depicted in FIG. 5, the working member isdisposed flush against the end face of the back plate with the drive pin68 extending through the aligned bores in the respective link endportions 86 and 88, and the respective attachment pins 98 and 100extending through the respective link-end-portion bores 94 and 96 intothe respective housing bores 102 and 104.

Following this, the housing 8, with the respective seal members 50, 56and 58 emplaced therein as described, is placed flush against the backplate end face with the core potion 44 fitting, of course, within theworking member 70 as made.

clear, for example, by FIG. 10.

Subsequently, the front plate 6 is placed over. the housing 8 in flushrelationship therewith, and with the core section 44 and working member70, and the attachment bolts 12 inserted into and tightened through thealigned threaded bores 13 provided therefor in the respective frontplate 6, the housing 8, and the back plate 10 to maintain the same inthe side-by-side or sandwichlike relationship thereof depicted in FIGS.I and 2 and establish substantially fluidtight seals therebetween.

By such assembly, it may be understood that the respective fluidpassages 28 and 30 in the front plate 6-will be brought into alignmentwith the radially outer portions or curved extremities of the respectiveslots 38 and 40 of the housing 8 to thereby provide for fluid flowcommunication therebetween while, in like manner, the respective fluidpassages 32 and 34 of the front plate 6 will be brought into alignmentwith the radially inner portions or curved extremities of the slots 48and 46 of the core portion 44 to thereby establish fluid flowcommunication therebetween.

With the respective components thusly assembled to form" the fluidmachine as depicted in end elevation in FIGS. I0, 11,

I2 and 13 with the front plate 6 removed, it may be seen that'a. chamberas indicated generally at C will be formed between the periphery of thecore section 46 and the face of theaperture 36 of the housing8. Further,it may be understood that this chamber C will be divided by the workingmember 70 into an inner fluid working chamber 83 and an outer fluidworking chamber 84, with fluid communication therebetween beingsubstantially inhibited by the sealing effects of thesrespective edgesof the working member links 72, 74, 76 and 78 againstthe respectiveinner end faces of the front plate 6 and back plate 10 which resultsfrom the substantial equality betweenthe width of the said links and thethickness of the housing 8.

Further, a first fluid flow path or'fluid machine working section willbe established to extend through fluid conduit and fluid passage 28 infront plate 6, fluid passage or slot 38 in the housing 8, the outerfluid working chamber 84 fonned between the outer surface of the workingmember-70 and the face of the aperture 36 in the housing 8, the fluidpassage in the front plate 6 and the fluid conductor 22'which extendstherefrom. In like manner, a second fluid flow path or fluid machineworking section will be formed to extend through fluid conduit 24 andthrough passage 32 in the front plate 6, fluid passage or slot 48 in thecore section 44, the inner working chamber 82 formed between the innersurface of the working member 70 and the outer periphery of the coresection 44, fluid passage or slot 46 formed in the core section 44, thefluid passage 34 formed in the front plate 6 and the fluid conduit 26extending therefrom.

Since the respective lower end portions of the working member links 72and 78 are pinned to the back plate 10 by the attachment pins 98 and100, it may be understood that the said link end portions will berestrained from all but pivotal movement about the said pins,Accordingly, the driven rotation of the drive shaft 14 in thecounterclockwise direction as indicated in FIGS. l013, with attendantdescription by the eccentrically disposed drive pin 68 of a circularpath about the center of the said drive shaft, and partially within thehousing cutout 42 provided therefor, will result in the drive pin 68carrying with it the pivotally affixed link end portions 86 and 88 tomove the links 74 and 76, and accordingly the links 72 and 78 which arerespectively pivotally connected thereto, in

curved paths with the extend of such curved paths decreasing from amaximum for the link end portions 86 and 88 of the links 74 and 76 to aminimum for the lower end portions of the links 72 and 78' which arerestrained by the pivotal connection thereof to the attachment pins 98and 100.

The pivotal movement of the respective links 72, 74, 76 and 78 of theworking member 70 through curved paths which result from the drivenrotation of drive shaft 14, and the manner in which fluid may be movedas a result thereof, are believed made clear by FIGS. 10-13 whichillustrate link positions at intervals and fluid machine operation forone complete revolution of thedrive shaft 14 or cycle of fluid machineoperation.

Assuming the rotation of the drive shaft 14 to be in thecounterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrows in these FIGS. andthe fluid device to be employedas a double acting, high pressure liquidpump to pump liquid from an inlet conduit 20 to an outlet conduit 22,and to simultaneously pump liquid from an inlet conduit 24 to an, outletconduit 26, all as seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, it may be noted that withthedn've pin 68 in the bottom dead center position thereof asillustrated in FIG. 10-, the working member 70 will be so disposed as toprevent fluid flow between either of the fluid passages or slots 38 and40 and the outer fluid working chamber 84. This is to say that link 72will substantially close slot 38 while link 78 substantially closes slot40. At this point, however, each of the fluid passages orslots 46 and 48in the core section 44 will be uncovered by the working member-70 andwill thus be in fluid flow communication with the inner fluid workingchamber 83. Fluid flow communication between therespective right andleft-hand portions of the inner working chamber 83 will be prevented,however, by the sealing action of the sealing member 50 against therespective inner surfaces of the link members 74 and 76; Accordingly, asthe drive shaft 14 rotates 90- in the counterclockwise direction fromthe position thereof depicted in FIG. 10 to the position thereofdepicted in FIG. 11, the left-hand portion of the inner fluid workingchamber 82 will be substantially decreased in volume by the pivotalmovement of the link 78 from contact with the face of the aperture 36and the sealing member 58 to contact with the periphery of the coresection 44 whereby may be understood that the liquid present in thisinner working chamber portion will be forced therefrom through fluidpassage or slot 46 in core section 44 and therefrom through passage 34in front plate 6 for discharge through discharge conduit 26. This liquidflow will, of course, continue, until closure of the slot 46 by thelink78 as seen in FIG. 11.

Concomitantly, the right-hand portion of the inner working chamber 83will commence to increase in volume as the link 74 moves towardthesealing member 56, whereupon liquid will be drawn thereinto throughinlet conduit 24, fluid passage 32, and slot 48. In addition, thispivotal movement of the link 74 will function to substantially decreasethe volume of the right-hand portion of the outer working chamber 84 todisplace the fluid therefrom to the left-hand portion of the said outerworking chamber. Simultaneously, the pivotal movement of the link 78will have uncovered slot 40, whereby the discharge of liquid from heleft-hand portion of outer working chamber 84 through slot 40, connectedpassage 30 and fluid conduit 22 will commence.

This liquid discharge through slot 40 will continue as the drive pin 68moves another 90 to the top dead center position depicted in FIG. 12,whereupon the respective links 72 and 78, in cooperation with thesealing member 50, will have closed both fluid passages or slots 46 and48 to temporarily prevent further fluid flow therethrough, whileconcomitantly uncovering fluidv passages or slots 33 and 40 andeffecting a substantial increase in volume in the right-hand portion ofouter working chamber 84 with resultant liquid flow thereinto throughinlet conduit 20, fluid passage 28, and the said slot 38.

In addition, this movement of the working member 70 from the portionthereof depicted in FIG. 11 to the position thereof depicted in FIG. 12will result in a substantial decrease in the volume of the left-handportion of the outer working chamber 84 with attendant discharge of muchof the liquid contained therein through slot 40 and the connectedpassage 30 and conduit 22. Of special interest here is the fact thatduring such working member movement, the contact between the respectiveouter surfaces of the links 74 and 76 and the flexible sealing members56 and 58 will substantially prevent the back flow of the liquid fromthe left-hand portion of the outer working chamber 84 which isdecreasing in volume to the righthand portion of the outer workingchamber 84 which is increasing in volume.

Rotational movement of the drive pin 68 from the position thereofdepicted in FIG. 12 to the position thereof depicted in FIG. 13 willresult in the substantially complete discharge of all liquid in theleft-hand portion of outer working chamber 84 therefrom through the slot40 for discharge through fluid passage 30 and discharge conduit 22 withsubsequent closure of the slot 40 by the link 78 and sealing member 58to limit further liquid flow therefrom. Concomitantly this pivotalmovement of the links 74, 76 and 78 will function to displace most ofthe liquid contained in the upper portion of the inner working chamber83 as seen in FIG. 12 to the left-hand portion of the said inner workingchamber as seen in FIG. 13, while at the same time reopening fluid flowcommunication between the said inner working chamber portion and slot 46whereby the discharge of liquid through the latter and through connectedfluid passages 34 and outlet conduit 26 will occur. In addition, it maybe understood that this movement of the working member 70 from theposition thereof depicted in FIG. 12 to the position thereof depicted inFIG. 13 will result in substantial increase in volume in the right-handportion of the outer working chamber 84 to draw additional liquidthereinto through slot 38, for subsequent displacement therefrom anddischarge from the left-hand portion of the outer working chamber 84through slot 40. Slot 48 will remain closed by link 72 during themovement of the working member 70.

With the return of the working member 79 from the position thereofdepicted in FIG. 13 to the position thereof depicted in FIG. 10, onecycle of fluid machine operation will be completed with the closure ofthe slots 38 and 40 by the respective cooperative action of the links 72and 78 and the sealing members 56 and 58, the continuance of thedischarge of liquid from the left-hand portion of the inner workingchamber 83 through the slot 46, and the uncovering of the slot 48 by thelink 72 with attendant increase in the volume of the right-hand portionof the inner working chamber 83 to effect the drawing of liquidthereinto through the slot 48.

This, is believed made clear that the fluid machine of the invention,when operated as a liquid pump with rotational power supplied theretothrough drive shaft 14, will be double acting in comprising twosimultaneously operative working sections, namely, an outer workingsection which includes slot 38, the outer working chamber 84 and slot40, respectively, and an inner working section which includes slot 48,the inner working chamber 83 and the slot 46, respectively.

Alternatively, it is believed clear that through suitable introductionof a fluid, under higher pressure than that of the liquid to be pumped,to one of these working sections, the fluid machine of the inventionwould be eminently suitable for use as a motor driven pump complete initself. More specifically, it may be understood that under suchoperational conditions, no rotational power need be applied to the driveshaft 14 and that the introduction of this higher pressure fluid to, forexample, the inner working chamber through slot 48, would cause theinner working section to act as a fluid motor and move the workingmember 70 through repeated cycles of operation thereof as depicted inFIGS. l through 13 to effect the pumping of a liquid by the outerworking section in the same manner as described in detail hereinabove asresulting from the driven rotation of the drive shaft 14.

As another alternative, it is believed clear that the introduction of afluid under pressure to each of the slots 38 and 48 will result in theformation of asingle stage, double acting fluid motor to providerotational power to the drive shaft 14 which,

under such conditions, would be drivingly rotated in thecounterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 10 by the movement of theworking member 70 through repeated cycles of operation thereof, again asillustrated by FIGS. through 13.

Whether utilized as a liquid pump, or fluid motor, it is believed clearthat staging may readily be effected in the fluid machine of theinvention as depicted in FIGS, 2, 3 and 5. Thus, if the machine is to beutilized as an externally driven liquid pump, suitable connection ofoutlet conduit 22 to inlet conduit 24 will, of course, result in theformation of a single action, two-stage pump with the higher pressurebeing maintained in the inner working chamber 83. In like manner, andfor use as a fluid motor, suitable connection of outlet conduit 26 toinlet conduit will result in the formation of a single acting, two-stagefluid motor with the higher pressure being maintained in the innerworking chamber 83.

In all forms of the fluid machine of the invention as discussedhereinabove, that is to say whether the same is utilized as anexternally driven liquid pump, an internally driven fluid motor-pumpcombination, or a fluid motor, it is to be clearly understood that thefluid machine of the invention is completely and readily reversible inoperation. Thus, for use as an externally driven fluid pump, drivenrotation of drive shaft 14 in the clockwise direction as seen in FIGS.2, 3 and 5 will cause fluid conduits 24 and 29 to function as dischargeconduits. In like manner, and for use as a fluid motor, the introductionof the driving fluid through conduits 22 and 26 will effect drivenrotation of the drive shaft 14 in the clockwise direction as seen inFIGS. 2, 3 and 5.

A more detailed understanding of the manner in which the respectivelinks 72, 74, 76 and 78 cooperate with he respective sealing members 50,56 and 58 to provide the desired sealing function may be acquired fromFIG. 14 wherein a portion of the link 78 is depicted in operative,sealing relationship with a portion to the sealing member 58 during anintermediate point in a cycle of fluid machine operation. Morespecifically, FIG. 14 may be understood to depict the link sealingmember relationship at the point in a cycle of operation of the fluidmachine intermediate those depicted in FIGS. 13 and 10. At such point,the link 78 would, of course, be disposed in the left-hand portion ofthe outer working chamber 84 and would bear against the flexible sealingmember 58 to displace the latter from the position thereof depicted bythe dashed line to the position thereof depicted by the solid line, withthe resultant tensile force functioning to provide the desired sealingforce. If, as discussed hereinabove, this left-hand portion of the outerworking chamber 84 is the high pressure or pump discharge zone, it maybe understood that the pressure of the liquid would create a force onthe sealing member 58, as indicated by the arrows 110, with the reactionthat the tensile force exerted by the sealing member 58 at the pointcontact thereof with the link 78, as indicated by the arrow 112, wouldbe increased slightly to thus increase the effectiveness of the sealingmember-link seal as desired at the high pressure ordischarge side.

As an alternative to the use of the sealing members 50, 56 and 58, itmay be understood that extremely careful machining of the contour of thehousing aperture 36, and similar care in the formation of the respectivelinks 72, 74, 76 and 78 may be utilized to provide for minimum gaps orspaces therebetween during fluid machine operation, By this technique,it may be understood that substantially frictionless seals would beprovided throughout it being readily apparent, however, that such wouldalso entail the acceptance of the controlled fluid leakage that would,of course, occur through the said minimum gaps or spaces.

It is believed clear that a wide range of metallic or plastic materialswill find satisfactory utilization in the construction of the respectivelinks 72, 74, 76 and 78 of the working member 70, with the primarycriteria in the selection of such muterial including a preference forthose exhibiting substantial rigidity, a high endurance limit, a highyield point, substantial hardness and resistance to corrosion, relativeease of fabrication, and ready availability at reasonable costs, withthe relative importance of these criteria subject to change inaccordance with the particular application to which the fluid machine ofthe invention is to be put.

The criteria for the material or materials to be utilized in theconstruction of the respective housing, core section, and front and backplates are, of course, less extensive or demanding than those whichapply to the working member 70. Accordingly, it may be understood thatalmost any readily available metallic or plastic material of suitablestrength characteristics and resistance to corrosion will provesatisfactory in this regard.

For general high pressure pump, high torque fluid motor and/ormotor-pump combination applications, steels of high tensile strength andhardness ratings may be understood to have proven particularlysatisfactory for working member link construction with, for example, anyone'of a wide variety of far less sophisticated steels, or plasticsproving satisfactory, in such application, for use in the constructionof the respective housing, core section, and front and back plates.

Alternatively, and for use for example in the food or chemicalprocessing industries, it may be understood that the respective links72, 74, 76 and 78 may readily be constructed from a relatively inertplastic material in the nature of fiberglass, and the respectivehousing, core and front and back plates from inert materials in thenature of somewhat reinforced ceramics.

In general, it may be understood that, except for extremely high speedapplications, the weight of material selected for utilization in theconstruction of the working member 70 will not be a significant factor,it having been determined that no more than percent of the input poweris required to overcome mechanical friction and drive the said workingmember through its cycle of operation. Further, it may be noted that thewidth and diameter of the working member 70 can be chosen in almost anyration commensurate with practical overall fluid machine dimensionswithout disadvantageous influence upon the basic principle of fluidmachine operation.

The running speed of the fluid machine of the invention can besubstantially higher than that of state-of-the-art positive displacementfluid machines because, in the former, the working member 70 is movedthrough a relatively short path of movement with the speed of movementthereof decreasing from a maximum at the drive pin 68 to a minimum atthe attached extremities of the links 72 and 78.

A particular advantage of the fluid machine of this invention resides inthe eminent suitability thereof for high pressure applications in highpressure pumps, high torque fluid motors and/or a self-driven highpressure pump and high torque fluid motor combination. Morespecifically, it may be understood that since the respective links 72,74, 76 and 78 are constructed of substantially rigid, or substantiallynonflexible, materials as discussed-hereinabove, the application of highpressure loadings thereto will not be effective to change the respectivepaths of movement thereof during fluid machine operation. This is to saythat despite the pivotal inter connec- "tions of the links 72, 74, 76and 78, the path of movement of the working member 70 is fixed by thelocus of the drive pin 68 whereby, assuming proper of of the latter andproper design of the respective contours of the housing aperture 36 andthe core section 44 in accordance with the respective contours of thelinks 72,74, 76 and 78, it may be understood that even extremely highoperational pressure loadings upon the working member 70 will beineffective to cause the latter to abut or even rub against any portionof the face of the housing aperture 36 and/or the surface of the coresection 44.

A wide variety of modifications other and different than those disclosedspecifically hereinabove, may, of course, be

made in the disclosed embodiment of the fluid machine of this inventionwithout departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A fluid machine comprising a casing having a space formed therein,core means fixedly disposed within said space and spaced at least inpart from said casing to form a generally annular chamber therebetween,a working member means disposed in said chamber to surround said coremeans at least in part and form at least one generally annular workingchamber therein, said working member means comprising a plurality ofpivotally interconnected parts, spaced fluid inlet and outlet meanscommunicating with different portions of said working chamber, holdingmeans fixedly holding at least one portion of said working member meansat a first position, and drive means connected to a second portion ofsaid working member means spaced from said first portion for moving saidsecond portion in a predetermined path for pivotally moving said partsof said working member meansrelative to each other to contract andexpand said working member means about said core means to alternatelyexpand and contract said different portions of said working chamber andconcomitantly alternately open and close said space fluid inlet andoutlet means to move fluid between said inlet and outlet means 2. in afluid machine as in claim 1 wherein, said one working chamber is formedbetween one face of said working member means and said core means.

3. In a fluid machine as in claim 2 wherein, a second generally annularworking chamber is formed between the opposite face of saidworking'member means and the face of said casing space, and said fluidmachine further comprises second, spaced inlet and outlet meanscommunicating with different portions of said second working chamberwhereby, said movement of said working member means will beconcomitantly effective to alternately expand and contract saiddifferent portions of said second working chamber and altemately openand close said second inlet and outlet means whereby, the movement offluid between said second inlet and outlet means may be concomitantlyeffected.

4. A fluid machine comprising a casing having a spaced formed therein,core means disposed within said space and spaced at least in part fromsaid casing to form a generally annular chamber therebetween, pivotalworking member means having opposed faces and disposed in said chamberto surround said core means at least in part and form at least onegenerally annular working chamber therein, spaced fluid inlet and outletmeans communicating with different portions of said working chamber,said one working chamber being formed between one face of said workingmember means and said core means, said inlet and outlet means extendingat least in part through said core means, and means for pivotally movingsaid working member means to alternately expand and contract saiddifferent portions of said working chamber and concomitantly alternatelyopen and close said spaced fluid inlet and outlet means, whereby themovement of fluid between said inlet and outlet means may be effected.

5. A fluid machine comprising a casing having a space formed therein,core means disposed within said space and spaced at least-in part fromsaid casing to form a generally annular chamber therebetween, pivotalworking member means having opposed faces and disposed in said chamberto surround said core means at least in part and form at least onegenerally annular working chamber therein, spaced fluid inlet and outletmeans communicating with different portions of said one working chamber,said one working chamber being formed between one face of said workingmember means and said core means, said inlet and outlet means extendingat least in part through said core means, means for pivotally movingsaid working means to alternately expand and contract said differentportions of said working chamber and concomitantly alternately open andclose said spaced fluid inlet and outlet means whereby the movement offluid between said inlet and outlet means may be effected, a secondgenerally annular working chamber formed between the opposite face ofsaid working member means and the face of said casing space, and

second spaced inlet and outlet means communicating with differentportions of said second working chamber whereby said movement of saidworking member means will be concomitantly effective to alternatelyexpand and contract said different portions of said second workingchamber and alternately open and close said second inlet and outletmeans whereby the movement of fluid between said second inlet and outletmeans may be concomitantly effected.

6. In a fluid machine as in claim wherein, said second inlet and outletmeans extend at least in part through said casing.

7. A fluid machine comprising a casing having a space formed therein,core means disposed within said space and spaced at least in part fromsaid casing to form a generally annular chamber therebetween, pivotalworking member means having opposed faces and disposed in said chamberto surround said core means at least in part and form at least onegenerally annular working chamber therein, said pivotal working membermeans comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links, spacedfluid inlet and outlet means communicating with different portions ofsaid working chamber, and means for pivotally moving said working membermeans to alternately expand and contract said different portions of saidworking chamber and concomitantly alternately open and close said spacedfluid inlet and outlet means, whereby the movement of fluid between saidinlet and outlet means may be effected.

8. In a fluid machine as in claim 7, wherein said one working chamber isfomied between one face of said working member means and said coremeans.

9. In a fluid machine as in claim 8, wherein a second generally annularworking chamber is formed between the opposite face of said workingmember means and the face of the said casing space, and said fluidmachine further comprises second, spaced inlet and outlet meanscommunicating with different portions of said second working chamberwhereby said movement of said working member means will be concomitantlyeffective to alternately expand and contract said different portions ofsaid second working chamber and alternately open and close said secondinlet and outlet means so that the movement of fluid between said secondinlet and outlet means may be concomitantly effected.

10. In a fluid machine as in claim 7 wherein, said means for pivotallymoving said pivotal working member means comprise means pivotallyconnected to a generally central portion thereof to pivotallyinterconnect two of said links and operative to move said generallycentral portion in a generally circular path.

11. In a fluid machine as in claim 8 wherein, said means for pivotallymoving said pivotal working member means comprise means pivotallyconnected to a generally central portion thereof to pivotallyinterconnect two of said links and operative to move said generallycentral portion in a generally circular path.

12. In a fluid machine as in claim 9 wherein, said means for pivotallymoving said pivotal working member means comprise means pivotallyconnected to a generally central portion thereof to pivotallyinterconnect two of said links and operative to move said generallycentral portion in a generally circular path.

13. In a fluid machine as in claim 10 further comprising, meanspivotally connecting respective extremities of two of said links otherthan said two of said links to said housing at spaced points on thelatter.

14. In a fluid machine as in claim II further comprising, meanspivotally connecting respective extremities of two of said links otherthan said two of said links to said housing at spaced points on thelatter.

15. In a fluid machine as in claim 12 further comprising, meanspivotally connecting respective extremities of two of said links otherthan said two of said links to said housing at spaced points on thelatter.

16. In a fluid machine as in claim 15 further comprising, sealing meansdisposed in said generally annular chamber for sealing contact therewithby said pivotally interconnected links during the pivotal movement ofthe latter to prevent the backflow of fluid from said outlet means tosaid inlet means,

17. In a fluid machine as in claim 16 wherein, said sealing meanscomprise flexible band means disposed within each of said one generallyannular working chamber and said second generally annular workingchamber within the respective paths of movement of said pivotallyinterconnected links within said working chambers.

18. In a fluid machine as in claim 13 wherein, said plurality ofpivotally interconnected links is constituted by first, second, thirdand fourth links, respectively, said means for pivotally moving saidpivotal working member means comprise a drive pin which extends throughfirst extremities of said second and third links to pivotallyinterconnect the same, said means pivotally connecting two of said linksto said housing at spaced points on the latter comprise pin meanspivotally connecting first extremities of said first and fourth links tosaid housing, and the respective second extremities of said first andsecond links, and said third and fourth links, comprise means pivotallyinterconnecting the second extremities of said first and second links,and the second extremities of said third and fourth links.

19. In a fluid machine as in claim 15 wherein, said plurality ofpivotally interconnected links is constituted by first, second, thirdand fourth links, respectively, said means for pivotally moving saidpivotal working member means comprise a drive pin which extends throughfirst extremities of said second and third links to pivotallyinterconnect the same, said means pivotally connecting two of said linksto said housing at spaced points on the latter comprise pin-meanspivotally connecting first extremities of said first and fourth links tosaid housing, and the respective second extremities of said first andsecond links, and said third and fourth links comprise means pivotallyinterconnecting the second extremities of said first and second links,and the second extremities of said third and fourth links.

1. A fluid machine comprising a casing having a space formed therein,core means fixedly disposed within said space and spaced at least inpart from said casing to form a generally annular chamber therebetween,a working member means disposed in said chamber to surround said coremeans at least in part and form at least one generally annular workingchamber therein, said working member means comprising a plurality ofpivotally interconnected parts, spaced fluid inlet and outlet meanscommunicating with different portions of said working chamber, holdingmeans fixedly holding at least one portion of said working member meansat a first position, and drive means connected to a second portion ofsaid working member means spaced from said first portion for moving saidsecond portion in a predetermined path for pivotally moving said partsof said working member mEans relative to each other to contract andexpand said working member means about said core means to alternatelyexpand and contract said different portions of said working chamber andconcomitantly alternately open and close said space fluid inlet andoutlet means to move fluid between said inlet and outlet means
 2. In afluid machine as in claim 1 wherein, said one working chamber is formedbetween one face of said working member means and said core means.
 3. Ina fluid machine as in claim 2 wherein, a second generally annularworking chamber is formed between the opposite face of said workingmember means and the face of said casing space, and said fluid machinefurther comprises second, spaced inlet and outlet means communicatingwith different portions of said second working chamber whereby, saidmovement of said working member means will be concomitantly effective toalternately expand and contract said different portions of said secondworking chamber and alternately open and close said second inlet andoutlet means whereby, the movement of fluid between said second inletand outlet means may be concomitantly effected.
 4. A fluid machinecomprising a casing having a spaced formed therein, core means disposedwithin said space and spaced at least in part from said casing to form agenerally annular chamber therebetween, pivotal working member meanshaving opposed faces and disposed in said chamber to surround said coremeans at least in part and form at least one generally annular workingchamber therein, spaced fluid inlet and outlet means communicating withdifferent portions of said working chamber, said one working chamberbeing formed between one face of said working member means and said coremeans, said inlet and outlet means extending at least in part throughsaid core means, and means for pivotally moving said working membermeans to alternately expand and contract said different portions of saidworking chamber and concomitantly alternately open and close said spacedfluid inlet and outlet means, whereby the movement of fluid between saidinlet and outlet means may be effected.
 5. A fluid machine comprising acasing having a space formed therein, core means disposed within saidspace and spaced at least in part from said casing to form a generallyannular chamber therebetween, pivotal working member means havingopposed faces and disposed in said chamber to surround said core meansat least in part and form at least one generally annular working chambertherein, spaced fluid inlet and outlet means communicating withdifferent portions of said one working chamber, said one working chamberbeing formed between one face of said working member means and said coremeans, said inlet and outlet means extending at least in part throughsaid core means, means for pivotally moving said working means toalternately expand and contract said different portions of said workingchamber and concomitantly alternately open and close said spaced fluidinlet and outlet means whereby the movement of fluid between said inletand outlet means may be effected, a second generally annular workingchamber formed between the opposite face of said working member meansand the face of said casing space, and second spaced inlet and outletmeans communicating with different portions of said second workingchamber whereby said movement of said working member means will beconcomitantly effective to alternately expand and contract saiddifferent portions of said second working chamber and alternately openand close said second inlet and outlet means whereby the movement offluid between said second inlet and outlet means may be concomitantlyeffected.
 6. In a fluid machine as in claim 5 wherein, said second inletand outlet means extend at least in part through said casing.
 7. A fluidmachine comprising a casing having a space formed therein, core meansdisposed within said space and spaced at least in part from said casingto form a generally annular chamber therebetween, Pivotal working membermeans having opposed faces and disposed in said chamber to surround saidcore means at least in part and form at least one generally annularworking chamber therein, said pivotal working member means comprising aplurality of pivotally interconnected links, spaced fluid inlet andoutlet means communicating with different portions of said workingchamber, and means for pivotally moving said working member means toalternately expand and contract said different portions of said workingchamber and concomitantly alternately open and close said spaced fluidinlet and outlet means, whereby the movement of fluid between said inletand outlet means may be effected.
 8. In a fluid machine as in claim 7,wherein said one working chamber is formed between one face of saidworking member means and said core means.
 9. In a fluid machine as inclaim 8, wherein a second generally annular working chamber is formedbetween the opposite face of said working member means and the face ofthe said casing space, and said fluid machine further comprises second,spaced inlet and outlet means communicating with different portions ofsaid second working chamber whereby said movement of said working membermeans will be concomitantly effective to alternately expand and contractsaid different portions of said second working chamber and alternatelyopen and close said second inlet and outlet means so that the movementof fluid between said second inlet and outlet means may be concomitantlyeffected.
 10. In a fluid machine as in claim 7 wherein, said means forpivotally moving said pivotal working member means comprise meanspivotally connected to a generally central portion thereof to pivotallyinterconnect two of said links and operative to move said generallycentral portion in a generally circular path.
 11. In a fluid machine asin claim 8 wherein, said means for pivotally moving said pivotal workingmember means comprise means pivotally connected to a generally centralportion thereof to pivotally interconnect two of said links andoperative to move said generally central portion in a generally circularpath.
 12. In a fluid machine as in claim 9 wherein, said means forpivotally moving said pivotal working member means comprise meanspivotally connected to a generally central portion thereof to pivotallyinterconnect two of said links and operative to move said generallycentral portion in a generally circular path.
 13. In a fluid machine asin claim 10 further comprising, means pivotally connecting respectiveextremities of two of said links other than said two of said links tosaid housing at spaced points on the latter.
 14. In a fluid machine asin claim II further comprising, means pivotally connecting respectiveextremities of two of said links other than said two of said links tosaid housing at spaced points on the latter.
 15. In a fluid machine asin claim 12 further comprising, means pivotally connecting respectiveextremities of two of said links other than said two of said links tosaid housing at spaced points on the latter.
 16. In a fluid machine asin claim 15 further comprising, sealing means disposed in said generallyannular chamber for sealing contact therewith by said pivotallyinterconnected links during the pivotal movement of the latter toprevent the backflow of fluid from said outlet means to said inletmeans.
 17. In a fluid machine as in claim 16 wherein, said sealing meanscomprise flexible band means disposed within each of said one generallyannular working chamber and said second generally annular workingchamber within the respective paths of movement of said pivotallyinterconnected links within said working chambers.
 18. In a fluidmachine as in claim 13 wherein, said plurality of pivotallyinterconnected links is constituted by first, second, third and fourthlinks, respectively, said means for pivotally moving said pivotalworking member means comprise a drive pin which extends through firstextremitiEs of said second and third links to pivotally interconnect thesame, said means pivotally connecting two of said links to said housingat spaced points on the latter comprise pin means pivotally connectingfirst extremities of said first and fourth links to said housing, andthe respective second extremities of said first and second links, andsaid third and fourth links, comprise means pivotally interconnectingthe second extremities of said first and second links, and the secondextremities of said third and fourth links.
 19. In a fluid machine as inclaim 15 wherein, said plurality of pivotally interconnected links isconstituted by first, second, third and fourth links, respectively, saidmeans for pivotally moving said pivotal working member means comprise adrive pin which extends through first extremities of said second andthird links to pivotally interconnect the same, said means pivotallyconnecting two of said links to said housing at spaced points on thelatter comprise pin means pivotally connecting first extremities of saidfirst and fourth links to said housing, and the respective secondextremities of said first and second links, and said third and fourthlinks comprise means pivotally interconnecting the second extremities ofsaid first and second links, and the second extremities of said thirdand fourth links.